Matrix Production Affects MRI Outcomes After Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation in the Knee:

Background:Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) has been an effective therapy for large, full-thickness cartilage lesions for years. However, little is known about how graft maturation is affected by characteristics of transplanted chondrocytes.Purpose:To investigate the influence of gene expression of chondrocytes at the time of transplantation on MRI outcomes up to 2 years after MACT.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:This study included 25 patients with 27 symptomatic traumatic defects of articular cartilage, who had undergone MACT in the knee. Postoperative MRI examinations were conducted at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Biochemical graft maturation was assessed by measuring T2 relaxation time values of the transplant and healthy native cartilage areas. The MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score was used to evaluate the morphological quality of regeneration tissue. Gene expression (collagen type I, collagen type ...